Why go to Southbourne Beach?

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Southbourne beach is a stunning beach a mere 14 minutes drive from Bournemouth Beach.

If you are looking for a family beach a little less crowded than Bournemouth beach gets in the summer then Southbourne beach might be a good option.

Lined with beach huts all the way up the promenade, Southbourne Beach gets very busy in the summer. (but not as busy as Bournemouth)

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Is Southbourne Beach Clean?

The beach is very clean and the sand is topped up each winter in preparation for the summer months, it is combed regularly by the local council so you can be sure your children will be safe at this beach and there is nothing nasty lurking in the sand.

Southbourne beach is an award-winning beach being given the prestigious Blue Flag Award for its clean seawater and clean sand.

If you’re looking for a family day out then Southbourne Beach is the perfect place to go. It’s renowned for being safe and is a local family beach.

Southbourne Beach, Bournemouth is the perfect place to visit if you’re looking for a slice of local beach life. It’s popular with tourists and residents alike and has a fantastic range of places to eat, drink and stay. It’s also a great spot to try out some water sports.

One of the best beaches on the South coast. With plenty of facilities, things to do and a really friendly atmosphere it’s a great place for a day out.

One of the main reasons I like Southbourne is because of the many facilities available. The beach has toilets, shops and a cafe for snacks and drinks all within easy reach. Plus, there are lots of places to eat in Southbourne town and the nearby areas of Boscombe and Tuckton.

There’s plenty to do on the beach itself – you can play games, go fishing or even ride your bike along the promenade. You can hire sun loungers, which are useful if you want to lie in the sun on a hot day. In fact, there’s something for everyone!

Southbourne is a beautiful unspoilt beach on the Bournemouth coast and it’s a great day out for adults and children alike. The beach is protected by the cliffs and has a quiet atmosphere, with the sea being surprisingly warm during the summer months.

Is Southbourne a Family-Friendly Beach?

Southbourne is perfect for families with young children as it has a number of amenities including ice cream cafes, toilets, cafés and a small funfair. There are also places to hire paddleboards, kayaks and other equipment if you want to get in the water and have some watersports fun with the kids.

There is an area of the beach that is dog-friendly all year round so if you have a dog that loves splashing about in the waves then Southbourne Beach is the place for you!

The beach is also adjacent to Southbourne Overcliff Drive which provides a great coastal walk with fantastic views across Poole Bay and the Purbeck Hills within easy reach.

At low tide, the beach reveals large stretches of sand that are great for building sandcastles or playing a game of volleyball.

The beach has lifeguards during the summer months and dogs are welcome throughout the year but there is a small off-lead dog zone between May and September.

Southbourne Beach Dogs

Also Read: Dog Friendly Beaches in Bournemouth

Dogs are allowed on Southbourne Beach all year round between the groynes 32 to 41 on the Fishermans Walk area of the beach. (see postcode below)

For the rest of the beach, dogs are allowed on the beach between October and the beginning of March.

It’s important to note though that in the summer months the beach gets extremely hot due to it being sheltered from the wind by cliffs. If a dog or any other animal is seen to be in distress at the beach then you can be prosecuted. It’s also important to note that there will be security walking around checking that animals haven’t been left in hot cars.

To see a full list of the beaches dogs are allowed to walk on. Go to our Dog Friendly Beaches Bournemouth page.

Southbourne Beach Parking

You can park free all day at the on roach clifftop parking. You will find this clifftop parking at Fishermans Walk. It’s best to get there early as this gets very busy, very early in the morning during the summer months.

Southbourne Beach postcode

The postcode for Fishermak’s Walk at Southbourne Beach is BH5 2EL

Southbourne Beach map

On this map, you can see Fisherman’s Walk.

Beach Lodge Southbourne

Beach Lodge is a popular bed and breakfast in Southbourne. It’s popular in the summer months with beachgoers.

This bed and breakfast is ideally situated between the beach and Southbourne’s row of shops.

You can easily walk to the beach from here with it taking mere 5 minutes to walk there.

This is a family-run guest house, newly furnished and has a friendly peaceful atmosphere.

Every bedroom here comes with your own ensuite. Free Parking and a lovely cooked breakfast each morning.

To book your room go to the Beach Lodge website.

Southbourne Beach Toilets

Fisherman’s Walk, 100m to the west of Fisherman’s Walk Cliff Lift and zig zag
Gordon’s Steps, 100m to the west of Gordon’s zig zag
Manor Steps, at the bottom of the Zig Zag, behind Bournemouth Beach Lodges
Portman Ravine, 400 metres east of Bournemouth Beach Lodges
Southbourne, near Bistro on the Beach

For a full list and map of the toilets on Southbourne and Bournemouth beaches go to our Bournemouth Beach Toilets Map page.

Southbourne Beach Facilities

To see our map on the toilets on Southbourne beach and the rest of Bournemouth beach go to our Bournemouth toilets page.

Southbourne beach has excellent facilities. Apart from the clean sand and seawater awarded for its cleanliness. There are lifeguards on the beach in the summer months making sure everyone is safe while swimming.

Along the promenade, there are cafes and ice cream bars. Beach huts are available to hire here all year round.

Toilets are easily accessible here too. There are plenty of toilet facilities lining the beach all the way up to Bournemouth.

Lots of opportunities to take part in watersports. There are many beach accessories you can hire for the day such as deck chairs, beach mats

For a full list and map of the toilets on Southbourne and Bournemouth beaches go to our Bournemouth Beach Toilets Map page.

BBQ Southbourne Beach

Barbeques are allowed on Southbourne beach after 6 pm. If you are planning on having a barbeque with more than 30 people you will need to get a permit from the local council.

Electric Barbeques are available from Easter onwards. These are given out on a first-come-first-served basis.

Southbourne Beach Disability Access

Southbourne Beach has free disabled parking. The beach is accessible by a zig-zag slope which isn’t too steep for someone in a wheelchair.

There are cliff lifts available at Fishermans Walk which will take you all the way down to the beach below.

You can also access Soughbourne beach by the land train from Bournemouth Pier. This will take you all along the promenade to Southbourne and you’ll get to sit back and see the views as you go.

Disabled toilets can be found along the seafront. You will need an access key which can be pre-purchased for £5 from the Tourist Information Centre at Pier Approach.

Accessible Electric Beach BBQs

Two wheelchair-accessible electric beach BBQs at Fisherman’s Walk beach, are available every day from Easter. They are given on a first come first serve basis.

To check if a beach has reached its capacity. Bournemouth Council has created the Beach App. You can download this beach app to your phone here: Bournemouth Beach Check App